El Paso Airport: May 10, 2010 Incident Review

On May 10, 2010, a tragic incident occurred at the El Paso International Airport in Texas, resulting in the death of an airplane mechanic. The mechanic, whose identity was not released, was sucked into the jet engine of a Continental Airlines flight while passengers were boarding. This incident prompted statements of sympathy from Continental's chairman and CEO, Larry Kellner, and sparked discussions about safety measures and procedures in the aviation industry.

An airplane mechanic was killed after being sucked into a jet engine

On May 10, 2010, an airplane mechanic was killed after being sucked into a jet engine at El Paso International Airport in Texas. The incident occurred on Monday morning while passengers were boarding Continental Airlines flight 1515 to Houston from the tarmac. National Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Lauren Peduzzi confirmed the accident, stating that the mechanic "walked in front of the engine and was pulled into it." Unfortunately, the mechanic's identity was not released, but Continental identified him as an employee of one of their suppliers.

At the time of the accident, the jet engine's metal covering was open due to a previous problem with the Number 2 engine. This tragic event prompted Continental chairman and CEO, Larry Kellner, to extend his "heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the mechanic."

While the specific details of this particular incident are scarce, similar accidents have occurred at other airports. For instance, in July 2024, local technician Abolfazl Amiri died after being sucked into the engine of a Boeing plane during routine maintenance at Chabahar Konarak Airport in southern Iran. Similarly, in June 2022, an airport worker, David Renner, was killed after being sucked into a plane's engine at San Antonio International Airport in Texas. These incidents underscore the inherent dangers associated with aircraft maintenance and the crucial importance of adhering to safety protocols.

El Paso International Airport is the gateway to West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico

El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, in El Paso County, Texas, United States. It is the gateway to West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico, serving as the busiest commercial airport in West Texas. The airport handled 3,904,110 passengers in 2023, with 96,316 aircraft operations.

EPIA has two concourses, A and B, with a total of 15 gates. Southwest Airlines is the focus airline of the airport, accounting for over half of all passengers. Other major airlines serving EPIA include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American, American Eagle, Delta Airlines, Frontier, and United, as well as their subsidiaries. Several cargo airlines also operate at the airport, including Amerijet International, DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, Freight Runners Express, GTA Air, and UPS Airlines.

The airport offers a variety of shops and restaurants, such as Black Mesa, Carlos & Mickey's, Home Team Sports, Starbucks, PGA Tour Grill, Schlotzsky's, Cinnabon, Slice, and Tia's Mexican Restaurant.

The history of El Paso International Airport dates back to 1928 when the City of El Paso built the first El Paso Municipal Airport near the east side of the Franklin Mountains. However, this airport was closed by 1945, and the site was later used by the Jobe Concrete Products "Planeport" cement factory. In 1934, Varney Speed Lines, now known as United Airlines, operated at the original El Paso Municipal Airport. The construction of today's El Paso International Airport began in 1929 as Standard Airport by Standard Airlines for transcontinental air mail service. American Airlines acquired Standard Airlines in the 1930s and "swapped" airports with the City of El Paso, leading to the establishment of El Paso International Airport in 1936.

During World War II, the airport served as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces. Several bombardment groups trained at El Paso Army Airfield before serving in the 8th Air Force in England. An expansion in 1971 tripled the size of the terminal, and Cutter Aviation established a fixed-base operation at the airport in 1982, followed by Atlantic Aviation serving general aviation.

The airport has 15 gates on 2 concourses

El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas. It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas and also serves Southern New Mexico and Northern Mexico. The airport has two concourses, A and B, with a total of 15 gates.

Concourse A, exclusively used by American Airlines, has gates A1 to A4. Meanwhile, Concourse B has gates B1 to B11 and serves several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant, United Airlines, United Express, Alaska, and Frontier.

The airport's terminal has a pier-satellite layout, with a central entrance and gates branching out east and west on the two concourses. The gates are located on the upper level, while the lower level houses the ticketing, baggage claim, rental car, and main entrance areas. The meeter/greeter area is also situated on the lower level, just behind the escalators leading to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint for the gates.

The airport's access road, Convair Road, is designed with four lanes. The left two lanes are reserved for commercial vehicles, while the right two lanes are for passenger pickup and drop-off. A waiting area between the split road allows passengers to wait for their rides comfortably.

The airport covers 6,670 acres and has three runways

El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is a large airport, covering 6,670 acres of land. It is located four miles northeast of downtown El Paso, in El Paso County, Texas, and is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas. It is also a gateway to Southern New Mexico and Northern Mexico.

The airport has three runways. Runway 4/22 is the largest at 12,020 feet long and 150 feet wide. It is made of asphalt. The second runway, 8R/26L, is 9,025 feet long and 150 feet wide, also made of asphalt. The third and smallest runway, 8L/26R, is 5,499 feet long and 75 feet wide, and is also asphalt.

The airport has two air carrier runways and one general aviation runway. The terminal has a pier-satellite layout, with a central entrance and gates that branch out east to west on the two concourses. The airport has East and West Concourses, with Gates A1-A4 located on the West Concourse and Gates B1-B11 on the East Concourse. There are a total of 15 gates.

The airport has an array of shops and restaurants

El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas. It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, serving Southern New Mexico and Northern Mexico. The airport has a range of shops and restaurants, catering to a variety of passenger needs and preferences.

For those looking to grab a quick bite or a coffee, there are several options available. Starbucks, a popular coffee chain, is present at the airport for coffee lovers. For those with a sweet tooth, Cinnabon offers a variety of cinnamon rolls and other baked goods. Schlotzsky's and Slice provide a range of sandwiches and pizzas, perfect for a quick and easy meal.

Passengers seeking a more substantial meal have several restaurants to choose from. Black Mesa and Tia's Mexican Restaurant offer unique culinary experiences, while Carlos & Mickey's and Home Team Sports provide familiar options for those craving classic American fare. For travellers who enjoy sports-themed restaurants, Home Team Sports is a great choice.

PGA Tour Grill, located within the airport, is ideal for golf enthusiasts who want to combine their love of the sport with their dining experience. This restaurant likely offers a unique atmosphere, combining golf-themed decor with delicious food and drinks.

The array of shops and restaurants at El Paso International Airport ensures that travellers have a variety of options to choose from, whether they are looking for a quick snack, a casual meal, or a more upscale dining experience. These dining and shopping options enhance the overall airport experience and can help make travel more enjoyable and convenient.

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